WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has issued a strong call to Israel, urging its leadership to refrain from launching further military strikes against Lebanon, stating that a long-sought diplomatic agreement with Iran is now “so close” to being finalized.
The statement comes in the wake of recent Israeli airstrikes targeting what Tel Aviv identified as Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut. The sudden escalation on Sunday has raised intense global concerns, threatening to jeopardize the signing of a crucial memorandum of understanding. If signed, this memorandum would initiate a 60-day window for comprehensive negotiations aimed at bringing a definitive end to the regional conflict.
Despite the tense situation and the recent strikes in Beirut, President Trump expressed optimism during an interview with Axios, noting that he still expects the official signing of the agreement to take place as scheduled on Sunday.
However, the diplomatic path remains complex with diverging narratives coming from both sides. Iranian state media previously reported that Tehran has not yet reached a final decision on the proposed framework. In a high-stakes effort to salvage the talks, Qatari mediators flew directly to Iran this morning to help finalize the terms and bridge the remaining gaps.
While US officials remain hopeful, Iranian hardliners have reportedly pushed back against several key proposals within the text, signaling that the upcoming hours will be critical for the future of Middle Eastern diplomacy.
